# How Software Automatically Collects and Organizes Data from Multiple Websites

> A system that automatically logs into multiple websites, pulls information, and stores it locally before you even ask for it, so it is ready to view instantly.

- **Patent:** US 8112476
- **Original title:** Cache and look ahead aggregation system
- **Owner:** Confluence Commons Inc
- **Granted:** 2012
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 18
- **Field:** software, consumer_electronics, ecommerce, telecommunications

## What it does

The patent describes a software-based aggregation system that acts as a middleman between a user's computer and various third-party websites. The system automatically authenticates (logs in) to multiple sites, retrieves data from them, and parses that data into a unified display. A key feature is the 'look ahead' mechanism, where the system caches information in the local memory of the user's computer based on an anticipated request. For example, if you use a dashboard that aggregates your email, social media, and news, this system pre-fetches and stores that data locally so it appears immediately when you open the application.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover server-side aggregation where the data is collected and processed on a remote server before being sent to the user.
- Does not cover aggregation methods that do not use local caching based on anticipated requests.
- Does not cover systems that lack an automated authentication mechanism for the third-party sites.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in moving the 'look ahead' caching logic to the client-side (the user's computer) rather than the server, allowing the system to be platform-independent and faster by reducing latency for the end user.

## Real-world examples

1. Personalized news and social media dashboards
2. Unified email clients that pull from multiple providers
3. Job search aggregators
4. Multi-platform instant messaging clients

## Why it matters

This patent addresses the challenge of managing fragmented information across the early web, such as disparate email accounts, social networks, and job boards. By moving the heavy lifting of authentication and data retrieval to the client-side and using predictive caching, it aimed to create a faster, more integrated user experience for desktop-based dashboard applications.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Software Automatically Collects and Organizes Data from Multiple Websites cover?

A system that automatically logs into multiple websites, pulls information, and stores it locally before you even ask for it, so it is ready to view instantly.

### Who owns patent US 8112476?

Confluence Commons Inc owns this patent, granted in 2012.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on February 7, 2032, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 8112476 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 18 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent addresses the challenge of managing fragmented information across the early web, such as disparate email accounts, social networks, and job boards. By moving the heavy lifting of authentication and data retrieval to the client-side and using predictive caching, it aimed to create a faster, more integrated user experience for desktop-based dashboard applications.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover server-side aggregation where the data is collected and processed on a remote server before being sent to the user.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8112476/amazon-ec2-elastic-compute-cloud

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8112476

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._